Carbid-feed mechanism.



A. E. SUHLIEDER.

OARBID FEED MEOHANISM. APPLICATION FILED 00122, 1907.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Patented July 26, 1910.

A. E. SCHLIEDER. GARBID FEED MEG'FANISM.

l APPLIOATION FILED 00T. 2, 1907. 965,7 56.

Patented July 2 6, 1910.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

.2W J l?? f5 l ma l l l A. E. SELEDBR.' GABBID FEED MEUHNISM APPLIoATIoNFILED oom-2, 1907.

' Patented July 26, 1910.

3 SHEETS-BHEET 3.

fm: NoRRls PETER: cb.. wAsmNar N. o. c.

earns AUGUSTUS E. SCHLIEDER, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO MONARCHACETY- LENE GAS COMPANY, OF OMAHA, NEBRASKA, A CORPORATION OF NEBRASKA.

CARBID-FEED MECl-IANISM.

oceaan.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, AUGUSTUS E.' Sor-Inie- Dniz, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of NewYork, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Carbid-Feedl\lechanism, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in carbid feed-mechanism.

In carbid feed-mechanisms now in use, the feed-valve is generally opento its full extent when the gas-bell of the gas-holder is at apredetermined low point, which position the gas-bell assumes when thegas within the holder is consumed, or almost consinned, and t-he feedingof carbid to the gasgenerator ceases. Cessation of the feeding actionoftentimes occurs when the carbid bridges or clogs within the carbidreceptacle, and experience has shown that the controlling mechanismbetween the feed-valve and gas-bell is liable to become disarranged ortemporarily ineffective in the performance of its proper functions. Atsuch times, excessive generation of gas is likely to take place, whichis not only wasteful, but dangerous as well. When the carbid is bridgedwithin its oontainingreceptacle and the valve is open, the entirecontents of the carbid-receptacle, or at least an excessive quantity ofcarbid, is likely to be charged into the gas generatingchamber onI theslightest jarring of the machine, causing generation of gas considerablyin excess of the capacity of the machine. 1When the controllingmechanism fails to properly respond to the action of the gas-bell,overcharging of the gas-generating-chamber is also likely to occur, andserious accidents result therefrom. Overcharging of the carbid into thegenerating-chamber is known to be dangerous, and provision has been madeto avoid this during the proper operation of the machine.

lt is the purpose of my invention to avoid overcharging at all times,and for this purpose l provide an auxiliary-valve or closure for thecarbid-receptacle operated by the primary or feed-valve, and so arrangethe same that when the primary or feed-valve is open to its full extent,or if desired to any predetermined point, the auxiliary-valve is movedto close the outlet of the carbid-receptacle. It has also been foundthat, when Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed October 2, 1907.

Patented July 26, 1910.

serial No. 395,576. i

first starting the generation of gas by hand to set the machine inoperation, the operator may carelessly open the feed-valve unnecessarilywide, which permits the carbid to drop into the gas generating-chamberin larger quantities than desired, causing overcharging of the gasometerwith the generated gas, which is not only wasteful, but dangerous aswell. y

To these ends the invention consists in automatically-controlledmechanism for closing the outlet of the carbid-receptacle when thefeed-valve is open `and its controlling-mechanism fails to close thesame; and in controlling-mechanism which limits the extent of rotationof the valve-shaft when starting the generation of the gas; and itfurther consists in the construction, arrangement, and combination ofparts to be hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in theappended claims.

Referring to the drawings,-Figure l is a side elevation of avalve-chamber located in a gas-generator between the carbid-receptacleand the gas generating-chamber, and the controlling mechanism whichcontrols the feed of carbid to the gas-generatingchamber, and showingalso a portion of the carbid-receptacle, the gas-generating chamber, andgasometer. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the valve-chamber with a partbroken away. Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken 'on line Bu, Fig. 2.Fig. l is a horizontal section taken on line a-e, Fig. l. Fig. 5 is avertical section taken on yline 5-5, Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is asectionalelevation similar to Fig. 2, with the valves in inverse relation; thevalve-chamber only being shown. Fig. 7 is an enlarged detachedperspective view of the primary or feed-valve. Fig. 8 is an enlargedperspective view of the auxiliaryvalve or closure. Fig. 9 is ahorizontal section taken on line 9*.9, Fig. 1. Fig. 10 is a top planview of the controlling lever and horizontal section through theadjacent portion of the gasometer, the stop-pawl of thecontrolling-lever being swung outward to limit the movement of thelever. Fig. 11 is a side elevation of the controlling lever with itsparts in normal or locked position. Fig. l2 is a perspective view of thecontrollinglever with its parts arranged to limit the movement thereof.Fig. 13 is a cross-section taken on line 1li- 13, Fig. 11. Fig. 14C is aFig. 15 is a detached perspective view of the stop-pawl.

Referring to the drawings in detail, like numerals of references referto like parts 1n the several figures.

The numeral 10 designates the valvechamber, usually located between thecarbidreceptacle 11 and the gas-generating chamber 12, into which latterthe carbid is to be charged in proportion to the consumption of O'as. C13 designates the gasbell having a slotted vertical rod 14 securedthereto, as is common in gas-generators. Extending into the upper end ofthe valve-chamber 10 1s a hopper 15 open at its lower end. This hopperis an extension of the carbid-receptacle and forms part thereof. Anoscillating segmental feed-valve 16 is movable back and forth underneaththe hopper to open and close the same; it having radial arms 17, to oneof which is secured the end of an operating or valve-shaft 18 formingpart of controlling-mechanism 19 and passing through a stuffing-box 2Oin the wall of the valvechamber. Formed on the other of said radial armsis a stub-shaft 21 having its axis coincident with the axis of saidoperating or valve-shaft and being journaled in a bracket or support 22secured to the wall of the valve-chamber. Secured to the operat-ving-shaft 18 is a controlling-lever 23 which enters a slot 24 in rod 14,and therefore, when the gas-bell rises or lowers, said shaft is rocked,causing the feed-valve to oscillate underneath the hopper 15 to open orclose the outletof the carbid-receptacle; the extent of opening being inproportion to the consumption of gas when the machine and its variousparts are in proper working order.

When the carbid in the carbid-receptacle and the generated gas in thegas-bell is consumed, or when the carbid bridges or clogs in thecarbid-receptacle and fails to feed, the gas-bell gravitates to itslowest point, causing the feed-valve to open to its full extent throughthe intervention of the controlling mechanism. In gas-generators now inuse, it is necessary to provide means to prevent the replenishing of thecarbidereceptacle until the feed-valve or mechanism is closed,necessitating the use of expensive and complicated mechanism between thecontrolling-mechanism and the cover or inlet closure of thecarbid-receptacle. Such means, while it avoids the carbid when fed intothe carbid-receptacle, falling directly into the generating-chamber, itdoes not prevent the accidental and excessive feeding of the carbid on aslight jar of the machine in the event of the carbid bridging orclogging within the receptacle; or when for any other reason, casualcessation of the feeding of i carbid takes place.

T0 eliminate the above mentioned and other objections, I provide meansfor closing the outlet of the carbid-receptacle when the feed-mechanismis moved to a certain point within the range of its movement, whichpoint may be predetermined and actuation of said closure-means causedwhen the valve is only partly open, or when open to its full extent, asmay be found desirable in each case; depending also on the type offeed-valve used and the extent and direction of its movement. Thisclosure means is in the form of mechanism comprising a rockspindle 25journaled in a bracket 2G on the wall of the valve-chamber and havingsecured thereto a curved auxiliary valve or closure 27 which is normallyinactive, as shown in Fig. 6, and adapted to be swung against the outletof the carbid-receptacle when the feed-valve is open, as shown in Figs.2 and 5. Said auxiliary-valve or closure is actuated by an extension orarm 23 on the feed-valve or the operating-shaft, as may be desired; saidarm having a laterally ex tending toe 29 and its end curved, as at 30;said curved end being in an arc of a circle having its axis coincidentwith the axis of the operating-shaft. Secured to rock-spindle 25 is anarm 31 having a curved edge 32 corresponding with the curved end of arm28.

Vhen the feed-valve is opened to a certain point, the toe on the arm 23comes in contact with the curved edge 32 of arm 31 and raises thelatter, causing the closure or auxiliary-valve 27 to swing upwardagainst the outlet of the carbid-receptacle to close the same. When saidauxiliary-valve is closed, the curved arm 28 is in contact with thecurved edge of arm 31, and as the contacting surfaces correspond, thefeed-valve is free to move while holding thc closure or auxiliary-valvein its closed position.

The controlling-lever 23 comprises twolever members, 33 and 34, alock-member 35 whereby the two-lever members are held in lockedcondition, and a stop-member 3G. Lever-member 33 is secured at a pointbe tween its ends to the operating-shaft and at one end it has alaterally extending lingerpiece 37 by means of which the shaft may beoperated manually, which is necessary when starting the machine inoperation. The opposite end of said lever member is curved downward, asat 38, and has pivotally attached thereto lock-member 35 which has along-arm 39, a short-arm 40 through which is passed the pivot pin bymeans of which said lock-lever is attached to lever-member 33, and aconnecting-arm 41 arranged at an angle to arms 39 and 40.

The lever-member 34 is loosely mounted on the operating-shaft andextends with its outer end beyond the corresponding end of lever-member33 so as to enter the slot in the rod 14 secured to the gas-bell.Normally, lever-member 34 is locked to member 33 by the lock-member 35,as shown in Fig. l1; the rear end of member 34, entering the spacebetween the long and short arms of the lock member and having itsextremity rounded, as at 45, to act against the curved lower edge 46 ofthe long arm of said lockmember to raise the latter out of lockingposition which permits manual actuation of the valve-shaft withoutregard to the position of the gas-bell or the actuation of the same.Said lock-member is provided with a toe 47 designed to strike a stop 48proj ecting laterally from the inner extremity of lever-member 33 forthe purpose of limiting the upward movement of the lock-member. Aretractile spring 49 having its ends attached to the lock-member andlever-meinber 83, respectively, serves to retain the lockinember inlocking position when the levermember 34 is swung into normal positionwith respect to its co oerating lever-member 33. The lower edge of thelock-member has the axis of its curved edge coincident with the axis ofthe valve-shaft so that when lever-member 33 is actuated to rock saidshaft, the lock-member travels back and forth in contact with the end oflever-ineinber 34 without changing its position on levermember 33.

The outer -free end of the long arm of lock-lever 35 is enlarged andslightly curved at its extremity to permit of conveniently raising thesame by placing the thumb thereagainst and exerting an upward pressurethereon.

Lock-member 35 has pivotally secured thereto, stop-member 36 by apivot-pin or screw 50 passing through said stop-member and taking intothe upper edge of the lockmember. A stop 51 in the form of a lip extendsfrom the upper edge of said lockmcmber and serves to limit the swingingmovement of said stop-member, which latter has at its inner or pivotalend a notch 52 providing abutments 53 and 54 which strike stop 51. fhenthe several parts of the controlling-lever are in normal position,stop-member 36 lies over the lock-member as shown in Fig. 9 but onswinging the lockmember upward to permit independent movement oflever-member 33, the stopmember swings outward at an angle to saidlock-member and in the path of a stop or projection 55 on the gasometer,designated 5G in which the gas-bell is confined. By this arrangement,the valve-shaft is limited in its rocking-movement when manuallyactuated to set the machine in operation, and consequently the carbid isfed'from the carbid-receptacle into the gas-generator in smallquantities, the opening of the feedvalve being in proportion to theextent of movement of the valve-shaft.

My invention is susceptible to many changes in form, construction, andarrangement of parts without departing from the spirit or sacrificingany advantages thereof.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is,--

l. The combination with a gas-bell, a carbid-receptacle, and agas-generating chamber, of a shaft oscillatable on the rise and fall ofsaid gas-bell, a segmental-valve on said shaft adapted to open and closethe outlet of the carbid-receptacle, an arm extending outward from theaxis of said shaft and said valve, a spindle suitably mounted to rock, aclosure rigid on said spindle, and an arm on said spindle in the path ofthe iirst mentioned arm and adapted to be engaged by the latter to causethe closure to swing against the outlet of the carbid-receptacle andclose the same.

2. The combination with a gas-bell, a carbid-receptacle, and a gasgenerating-chamber, of a shaft oscillatable on the rise and fall of saidgas-bell, a segmental-valve on said shaft adapted to open and close theoutlet of the carbid-receptacle, an arm extending outward from the axisof said shaft and said valve and having its outer end curved, a spindlesuitably mounted to rock, a closure rigid on said spindle, and an arm onsaid spindle having a curved edge adapted to be engaged by the curvedend of the first mentioned arm when the feed-valve reaches a certainpoint in its opening movement so as to cause said closure to swingagainst the outlet of the carbid-receptacle and close the same. i

3. The combination with a gas-bell, a carbid-receptacle,` and a gasgenerating chamber, of a shaft oscillatable on the rise and fall of saidgas-bell, a segmental-valve on said shaft adapted to open and close theoutlet of the carbid-receptacle, an arm extending outward from the axisof said shaft and said valve and having a laterally extending toe at itsouter end and said end curved, a spindle suitably mounted to rock, acurved closure rigid on said spindle, and an arm on said spindle havinga curved edge adapted first to be engaged by the toe on saidfirstmentioned arm and then by the curved end of the latter arm to causethe closure to swing against the outlet of the carbid-receptacle andclose the same.

4. The combination with a gas-bell, a carbid-receptacle, and a gasgenerating-chamber, of a shaft oscillatable on the rise and fall of saidgas-bell, a segmental-valve on said shaft adapted to open and close theoutlet of the carbid-receptacle, an arm extending outward from the axisof said shaft and said valve and having a laterally extending toe at itsouter end curved in an arc of a circle having its axis coincident withthe axis of the said shaft, a spindle suitably mounted to rock, a curvedclosure rigid on said spindle, and an arm on said spindle having acurved edge corresponding with the curved outer end of the firstmentioned arm, the arm on said spindleibeing adapted to be engaged firstby the toe on said first-mentioned arm to cause the closure to swingagainst the outlet of the carbid-receptacle and then be engaged by thecurved end of the latter arm to permit movement of the valve after theclosure has closed the outlet of the carbidreeeptacle. l

5. The combination with a carbid-receptacle, a gas generating-chamber,and a gasometer having a gas-bell, of a valve controlling the feed ofcarbid to said gas generating-chamber, a rock-shaft to which said valveis secured, and a controlling-lever comprising two parts normally lockedtogether, one of said parts being loosely mounted on said shaft and inoperative connection with the gas-bell and the other part being affixedto said shaft, and means carried on said last mentioned part adapted toengage a fixed object when actuated manually and independent of thefirst mentioned part.

6. The combination with a carbid receptacle, a gas generating-chamber,and a gasometer having a gas-bell, a valve controlling the feed ofcarbid to the gas generating-chamber, a shaft to which said valve issecured, a controlling-lever comprising a lever-member loosely mountedon the shaft and in operative connection with the gasbell of thegasometer, a lever-member affixed to said shaft, a lock-member normallylocking said lever-members together and arranged to permit ofdisconnecting said lever-members, and a stop-lever carried on saidlock-member and adapted to engage a fixed object when said lock-memberis moved to disconnect said lever-members.

7. The combination with a carbid-receptacle, a gas generating-chamber,and a gasometer including a gas-bell having a rod provided with a slottherein, of a valve controlling' the feed of carbid to the gasgenerating-chamber, a shaft to which said valve is affixed, and acontrolling lever consisting of a lever-member loosely mounted betweenits ends on said shaft and having its long arm in engagement with theslottedrod on said gas-bell, a second-lever member secured between itsends to said shaft and having its short arm curved downward, alock-member comprising a long-arm and a short-arm connected by aconnecting arm providing a space to receive the short arm of said firstmentioned lever-member when locking the lever-members together, saidlock-member having the free end of its short arm pivotally attached tothe Vcurved short arm of said second-mentioned levermember and the loweredge of its long arm curved to ride over the end of the short arm ofsaid first mentioned lever-member when swung into unlocking-position,and a retractile spring connected at its ends to said second mentionedlever-member and to said lock-member.

8. The combination with a carbid-receptacle, a gas generating-chamber,and a gasometer including a gas-bell having a rod provided with a slottherein, of a valve controlling the feed of carbid to the gasgenerating-chamber, a shaft to which said valve is affixed, and acontrolling-lever consisting of a lever-member loosely mounted betweenits ends on said shaft and having its long arm in engagement with theslotted-rod on said gas-bell, a second lever-member secured between itsends to said shaft and having its short arm curved downward, alockmember comprising a long-arm and a shortarm connected by aconnecting arm providing a space to receive the end of the short arm ofsaid first mentioned lever-member when locking the lever-memberstogether, said lock-member having the free end of its short armpivotally attached to the curved short arm of said second-mentionedlever- 'member and the lower edge of its long arm curved to ride overthe end of the short arm of said first mentioned lever-member when swunginto unlocking position, a retractile spring connected at its ends tosaid second mentioned lever-member and to said lock-member, and astop-member pivotally `attached to the upper edge of said lockmember andadapted to swing outward when said lock-member is swung into itsunlocking position to engage a fixed object when the second mentionedlever-member is actuated manually.

9. The combination with a gas-bell, and a gas-generating chambercooperating therewith, of a carbid-receptacle havinO' a feedhopper, asegmental feed-valve adapted to open and close the mouth of said hopper,a. closure pivotally secured to one side of the axis of said hopper andhaving its upper face conforming to the lower edge of said feed hopper,means to cause said closure to swing against the lower edge of saidfeedhopper when said feed-valve is moved to allow a quantity of carbidto escape from said hopper, and mechanism actuated by said gas-bell andadapted to actuate said feed-valve.

In testimony whereof, I have affixed my signature in the presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

AUGUSTUS E. SCHLIEDER.

fitnesses ELLA C. PLnnoKI-IAHN, EMIL NEUHART.

